There's always something good happening in downtown Wilkes-Barre!
August 23 - August 29, 2016
In many ways, this is a typical summer week in Downtown Wilkes-Barre, featuring recurring activities like Farmers Market, Yoga at the River, and the Kirby Center’s Montz Film Series, along with ongoing exhibits at Downtown's galleries and museums.
 
There will also be one-time occurrences, like Friday’s local opening of the new film Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, and telling the story of the famously delusional Wilkes-Barre-born diva, at RC Wilkes-Barre Movies 14 – only a block away from the site of the heroine’s childhood home.
 
But, this coming weekend, Downtown also undergoes a dramatic seasonal transformation, as new students at King’s College and Wilkes University move in for the new school year.
 
The terms may be subtly different – “Welcome Weekend” at Wilkes, and “Fall Welcome” at King’s – but the result is the same: college students suddenly materialize throughout our center city, signaling that a new fall semester is at hand.
 
Whether King's or Wilkes, LCCC or TCMC, the positive impact of Downtown’s higher education sector is enormous and undeniable: our colleges’ students, faculty, and staff broaden Downtown’s economic and employment base, provide a steady stream of new customers for Downtown’s stores and restaurants, and undergird Downtown’s strengths as a walk-to-everything neighborhood, a cultural hub, and the region's startup and innovation district.

We call them “anchor institutions” with good reason – and it’s not by accident that one of DCP’s big goals for the next five years is to ensure that Downtown Wilkes-Barre becomes “the region’s college neighborhood.”

While we’re still learning to fully embrace our role as a college town, we’ve made enormous progress during the past few years. In turn, the schools’ capital investments are increasingly planned to deliberately reinforce larger downtown development goals and drive new taxable development and private job creation.

We work together because a thriving downtown is good for our colleges, just as our colleges are key to the creation of a thriving downtown.
 
By any measure, today’s Downtown Wilkes-Barre is more pleasant, attractive, and economically vibrant than it was a decade ago. That’s due, in considerable part, to the willingness of our higher-ed partners to put their shoulders to the wheel in the service of Downtown’s revival.
 
So, in turn, beginning this weekend, when you see all those newly arrived college students, don’t miss the opportunity to welcome them to their new Downtown neighborhood – and to our community.

Hoping to see you soon in Downtown Wilkes-Barre!

Larry Newman, Executive Director
Diamond City Partnership
larry@wbdcp.org
Downtown Events

Tuesday, August 23
Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre Weekly Meeting
TIME: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
PLACE: Genetti Best Western Hotel & Conference Center, 77 East Market Street

The Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre meets every Tuesday at noon. We are neighbors and community leaders uniting for the common good. The meeting is open to members and their guests, prospective members, and visiting Rotarians.
More information: www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofWilkesBarrePa
 
Wednesday, August 24
2015 W. Curtis Montz Film Series: The Stanford Prison Experiment

TIME: 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM
PLACE: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square

This week's film in the Kirby Center's Montz Film Series is The Stanford Prison Experiment (R, 121 min). Based on the real-life research of Dr. Philip Zimbardo (a consultant to the film), The Stanford Prison Experiment tells the story of twenty-four male students selected to take on randomly assigned roles of prisoners and guards in a mock prison situated in the basement of the Stanford psychology building. Tickets: matinee, $3.00; evening, $5.00.
More information: www.kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100.

Wednesday, August 24
Suskie Bassmasters Wednesday Night Tournament
TIME: 6:00 PM (shotgun start) - 9:00 PM
PLACE: Nesbitt Park

The Suskie Bassmasters' Wednesday night bass tournament continues from June through September, launching from Nesbitt Park. $20 annual membership entitles members to compete in weekly tournaments for cash and prizes.​
More information: www.suskiebass.org or 570-840-2431.

Wednesday, August 24
Osterhout Teen Night: Teen Takeover Coloring Night
TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
PLACE: Osterhout Free Library, 71 South Franklin Street

Every Wednesday night is teen night! This week will be Coloring night.  Enjoy some snacks, bring your friends, make new friends and - most importantly - just relax and have fun! Free and open to teens aged 12 to 18.
More information: www.osterhout.info or 570-823-1959.

Thursday, August 25
Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market
TIME: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
PLACE: Public Square

Thursday is Farmers Market day in Downtown Wilkes-Barre! Full of family fun, music, food, crafts, and the highest quality fresh produce from local growers. This week's "Music at the Market" performer is the Jeanne Zano Band. Farmers Market is held every Thursday through November 17 on Public Square. Free and open to the public.
More information: www.wilkes-barre.pa.us/farmersm.php or 570-208-4149.

Thursday, August 25
Antiques Appraisal with Dr. Lori
TIME: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
PLACE: Wilkes University Breiseth Hall Room 107, 137 South Franklin Street
 
If you’ve ever wondered if the things collecting dust in your attic might be valuable, Dr. Lori Verderame can help you separate your treasures from the trash. Wilkes University’s Center for Continued Leaning will host an antiques appraisal event featuring Dr. Lori, the antiques appraiser on the Discovery Channel’s reality television show “Auction Kings.” Known for her comedic and no-holds-barred approach, Dr. Lori leaves the audience howling for more with her wildly funny, one-of-a-kind unscripted banter. Cost: $30 (includes appraisals on two items).
More information or to register:  www.wilkes.edu/continuedlearning or 570-408-5615. 

Thursday, August 25
Osterhout Coloring for Adults
TIME: 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM
PLACE: Osterhout Free Library, 71 South Franklin Street

Stop by and experience the relaxing art of coloring. Use our supplies or bring your own. Light refreshments will be served.  Free and open to the public.
More information: www.osterhout.info or 570-823-1959.

Friday, August 26
R/C Wilkes-Barre Movies 14 Opening Day for Florence Foster Jenkins
TIMES: 1:40 PM; 4:20 PM; 7:15 PM; 9:50 PM 
PLACE: R/C Wilkes-Barre Movies 14, 24 East Northampton Street

Florence Foster Jenkins, Hollywood's version of the true story of the irrepressible Wilkes-Barre native, opens its run in the city where her story began! Florence, played here by Meryl Streep, was far from a shrinking violet. In 1944, she filled Carnegie Hall with people who didn’t mind, or perhaps even enjoyed, the way she “murdered the high-Cs” with her shrieking, off-key voice. Every voice deserves to be heard!
More information: http://rctheatres.com/movie/217956/Florence-Foster-Jenkins or 570-825-4444.

Friday, August 26
Osterhout Friday Movie Matinee: Code of Silence
TIME: 2:00 PM
PLACE: Osterhout Free Library, 71 South Franklin Street

Join us every Friday for a themed movie selection. August's movies feature masters of martial arts; this week's movie will be Code of Silence (1985), starring Chuck Norris as honor-driven, crime-fighting Chicago sergeant Eddie Cusack. Free and open to the public: popcorn provided.
More information: www.osterhout.info or 570-823-0156.

Saturday, August 27
Around Town Bicycles Saturday Morning Ride
TIME: 7:30 AM
PLACE: Around Town Bicycles, Rear 59 North Main Street

Join other area bicyclists for the weekly Saturday Morning Ride. At this point, the weekly ride starts at 7:30 AM, is longer, and incorporates more hills. There are stops for regrouping, and no riders are left behind. Bagels, coffee and juice are served after the ride. Road bikes recommended.
More information: www.atownbikes.com or 570-970-3008.

Saturday, August 27
Yoga at the River
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
PLACE: River Common Millennium Circle Portal, North River Street

Join Jennifer Ciarimboli Yoga and studio host Nearme Yoga for our 7th year of free community yoga down by the river! We'll be there every Saturday from June 11 through September 3. In case of rain, the event will be cancelled and will return the following week; otherwise, we will be there. Free and open to the public; bring a yoga mat, towel, water, and a friend.
More information: www.facebook.com/events/1252808698077795/

Saturday, August 27
Osterhout One More Row Knit and Crochet Group
TIME: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
PLACE: Osterhout Free Library, 71 South Franklin Street

Learn, share, and knit or crochet! Bring your yarn and knitting needles or crochet hooks. Beginners and all ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be available. Free and open to the public. 
More information: www.osterhout.info or 570-823-1959.

Monday, August 29
Osterhout Artists Club 
TIME: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
PLACE: Osterhout Free Library, 71 South Franklin Street

Join artists of all skill levels to share ideas and work on your own current projects in our newly formed artists club. Free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served. 
More information: www.osterhout.info or 570-823-1959.
Downtown Exhibits
 
Luzerne County Historical Society Museum
(69 South Franklin Street)
HOURS:  Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

"The Roaring '20's"
March 4 until late summer/early fall

The Historical Society's "The Roaring 20's" exhibit features articles covering all the major trends of the age, including art, entertainment, Prohibition and bootlegging, criminals, and the famous music and dances of the era. A wide variety of pieces representing the fashion of the era will be on display as well. Most of the items came in one large private donation, and the LCHS is proud to display these pieces together, so they can tell the story of this famous time period.

Native Americans of Wyoming Valley
Permanent exhibition
 
The permanent exhibit on the Native American inhabitants of the area includes local artifacts ranging from stone implements of the Archaic period to the archeological evidence of European influence.

Visitors: if you are planning on visiting the Museum on Saturday, please call us a few days in advance to ensure we will be open for your visit. 
More information: www.luzernehistory.org or 570-823-6244.
 
King’s College Widmann Art Gallery
(Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, between N. Main and N. Franklin Sts.)
HOURS: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

"Sue Hand: Emerging Artists"
August 29 - September 23

This is an annual invitational event where local high school students, under the guidance of Sue Hand, exhibit their artwork. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

More information: www.kings.edu or 570-208-5900, ext. 5328.

Marquis Art & Frame Second Floor Gallery
(122 South Main Street):
HOURS: 9:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Third Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Brush and Lens, a Mother and Son Exhibit
DATES: July 15 to September 6

"Brush and Lens, a Mother and Son Exhibit" presents the work of two fine local artists: the artwork of Lorraine Petyo Elias and the photography of Darren Elias. Marquis’ second-floor gallery is accessible by stairs only.
More information: www.marquisartframe.com or 570-823-0518.

The Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University
(Stark Learning Center, 150 South River Street)

The Sordoni's next exhibition, Persistence: The Continuing Influence of Classical Myths, will open on August 30.

Wyoming Valley Art League’s Circle Centre for the Arts
(130 South Franklin Street):
HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM; Third Friday Art Walk, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Guest Artist and Painter Dana Kotler
DATES: August 19 to September 30

Dana Kotler will be exhibiting recent paintings that will highlight the juxtapositions of a variety of subjects and surfaces in a nearly collage-like manner, resulting in anthropomorphic constructions which she considers as characters - golems of a sort. Dana is a recipient of the 2016 Naomi Anolic Early Career Jewish Visual Arts Award as well as many other distinguished awards and recognitions.

WVAL Members Exhibit

The WVAL's current members' exhibit displays work in a wide variety of media and styles.

More information: www.wyomingvalleyartleague.org or 570-288-1020.
Submit An Event!
Let the community know about your Downtown Wilkes-Barre event by clicking on the link above. Add it to the community calendar and we'll share it in this email during the week of your event! Please be sure to choose "Downtown" as your event type.
Share
Forward to Friend
Subscribe!
Get "This Week in Downtown Wilkes-Barre" in your inbox each week! 
Looking for our downtown business directory? Click on the logo below.
This Week in Downtown Wilkes-Barre is brought to you by the following organizations:

Walk Wilkes-Barre:
This week's historic building is:

Volney Maxwell residence (Bishop Memorial Library)
49 South Franklin Street (c. 1875)
 
This towered house, a late example of the Italian Villa style with Queen Anne revisions, is a reminder of quieter times on South Franklin Street. Designed by Wilkes-Barre architect Willis G. Hale, who went on to make his mark as one of Philadelphia’s most over-the-top Victorian architects, it now houses the research library and administrative offices of the Luzerne County Historical Society, and it is open to the public during normal Society business hours. Don’t miss the Hughes Memorial Garden – the restored Victorian garden in the back – which is a wonderful refuge in the midst of downtown’s bustle.
Click Here to View Future Downtown Events!
Copyright © 2016 Diamond City Partnership, All rights reserved.
unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp